dts Digital Entertainment

How do I calibrate my surround sound?

Once your speakers are positioned properly for 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 surround, you want the correct directional sound levels going to each speaker. Why? So your system can recreate a film’s surround sound as originally intended by its creators. Most AV receivers have a white noise calibration mode that can help you do this. Also, many higher-end receivers have a time-alignment feature that sets the delay of the audio signal as it goes from front speakers to rear speakers.

Receivers that calibrate sound for you

Some higher-end AV receivers take this a step further: They can actually calibrate the optimal sound for the very room your home theater system is in — automatically. They first evaluate the acoustics in the room, then calibrate sound for your speaker system accordingly. This higher-level calibration works for rooms of any shape or size. For more info, check out the AV receiver pages on audio hardware manufacturers’ websites.

Connecting your high-definition components

The very best way to connect your high-definition components is with HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) connections. This amazing interface can handle gigantic amounts of the highest-quality high-definition data — both video AND audio. So first, check to see if your components have HDMI inputs / outputs. Then, find the scenario below that best matches your situation:

1. Your high-def TV, high-def DVD player, and AV receiver all have HDMI connections.

   This is the best possible scenario. Do this: Using an HDMI cable, connect your Blu-ray Disc or HD DVD player’s HDMI output to the AV receiver’s HDMI input. Then, connect the receiver’s HDMI video output to your high-def TV. The receiver processes the HD audio signal and passes it to your speakers; it also processes the HD video signal and passes it to your high-def TV. Simple, all digital, no loss in quality, and you get true high-definition audio and video. Plus, because HDMI allows communication between components, the audio and video “move together” when you change sources with your receiver’s remote. Note: your AV receiver must be able to process very high-quality video signals.

2. Your high-def TV and high-def DVD player have HDMI; your AV receiver doesn’t.

   Use a HDMI connection between TV and player, for full high-definition video. Then, use a coaxial digital audio connection between player and receiver. Remember: because movies and music with DTS-HD encoded content contain a DTS Digital Surround “core”, your older receiver will play back DTS-HD material with DTS surround audio at twice the data rate of other DVD video surround formats. So, you’re still going to get higher quality sound than you’re used to hearing.

3. Your high-def DVD player and your AV receiver have HDMI; your hi-def TV doesn’t.

   For high-definition audio, connect your player’s HDMI output to your AV receiver’s HDMI input. For the video hook-up, use a Component Video connection between your player and your hi-def TV. You will get regular high-definition video (1080i/720p) with this connection, which is excellent but not quite as good as full high-definition (1080p).

4. Other scenarios.

   If your HDMI scenario doesn’t match 1, 2, or 3 above, consider upgrading to new components when the time is right for you. HDMI connectivity helps you get the most from the new high-definition entertainment.

 

How can I tell if movies and music have DTS-HD, or another version of DTS?

To see if a movie or music disc was encoded with DTS-HD or DTS, look for the DTS logos on the disc package.

How do I know if my AV receiver is playing DTS-HD or DTS?

To see if your receiver is producing DTS-HD or DTS sound, look for the illuminated DTS-HD or DTS symbol on your receiver’s front-panel display.

How do I make sure I get DTS-HD sound? 

If you have a DTS-HD capable AV receiver and you’re playing a DTS-HD movie or music disc, then you should be getting DTS-HD sound. If you don’t see the DTS-HD symbol illuminated on your receiver’s display, activate the receiver’s DTS-HD function.